Varifocal Spectacle Wearers-Advice Please!

[edmond_terakopian]

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Greetings All,

 

Any varifocal spectacle wearers here? I think I need to get some but am really worried that it will effect focusing and composing through the viewfinder. The option of taking off my glasses and using a dioptre will not work in my field of work. Does anyone have experience with these lenses?? All feedback, good and bad, will be highly appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Edmond

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[scsambrook]

I have varifocal spectacle lenses and find them extremely useful. I'm very shortsighted ( minus 6.5 diopters in my 'camera eye') and also suffer badly from astigmatism. The varifocal lens lets me handle infinity down to reading distance perfectly well. Using the viewfinder is no problem, but I choose frames which don't put the spectable lens too far from my eye.

 

Some points to keep iin mind. Avoid the cheapest lenses because they give the effect of something like 'tunnel vision' - your optician can demonstrate or you can see the effect on the websites of lens providers such as Zeiss or Hoya. Plastic lenses will eventually scratch from abrading the eyepiece . . . but glass ones are much more expensive (in UK at least). And even then, they will eventually scratch.

 

Above all, explain to your optician exactly how you will use the lenses - take your camera along. Even though I can see perfectly through my specs, I still need a plus 0.5 diopter eyepiece correction lens to see though the viewfinder clearly. I'm told it's an 'accommodation problem' by my optician. I look through the top segment of the spectacle lens - the part that's right for far distances - because to me that's the most comfortable way to see through the viewfinder.

 

Finally, disregard any stories of doom and despondency about varifocals but be sure to use a truly competent optical practice. The lenses need to be centered perfectly or vision will be imperfect, so the dispensing optician needs to be as good as his/her ophthalmic colleague. I'd stay clear of chain-store outlets who use scarcely trained dispensing staff and demand money up front before they make the glasses. My own optician's practice has experienced staff and never takes payment until the spectacles are delivered and proven to be to be to the patient's satisfaction.

[edmond_terakopian]

I have varifocal spectacle lenses and find them extremely useful. I'm very shortsighted ( minus 6.5 diopters in my 'camera eye') and also suffer badly from astigmatism. The varifocal lens lets me handle infinity down to reading distance perfectly well. Using the viewfinder is no problem, but I choose frames which don't put the spectable lens too far from my eye.

 

Some points to keep iin mind. Avoid the cheapest lenses because they give the effect of something like 'tunnel vision' - your optician can demonstrate or you can see the effect on the websites of lens providers such as Zeiss or Hoya. Plastic lenses will eventually scratch from abrading the eyepiece . . . but glass ones are much more expensive (in UK at least). And even then, they will eventually scratch.

 

Above all, explain to your optician exactly how you will use the lenses - take your camera along. Even though I can see perfectly through my specs, I still need a plus 0.5 diopter eyepiece correction lens to see though the viewfinder clearly. I'm told it's an 'accommodation problem' by my optician. I look through the top segment of the spectacle lens - the part that's right for far distances - because to me that's the most comfortable way to see through the viewfinder.

 

Finally, disregard any stories of doom and despondency about varifocals but be sure to use a truly competent optical practice. The lenses need to be centered perfectly or vision will be imperfect, so the dispensing optician needs to be as good as his/her ophthalmic colleague. I'd stay clear of chain-store outlets who use scarcely trained dispensing staff and demand money up front before they make the glasses. My own optician's practice has experienced staff and never takes payment until the spectacles are delivered and proven to be to be to the patient's satisfaction.

 

That's great feedback and advice - much appreciated.

Now days I go to David Clulow who have been ok. Out of interest, who are your opticians?? Perhaps I'll give them a try?!

 

Cheers,

 

Edmond

[giordano]

I agree with pretty much everything scsambrook said, except that I haven't found scratched lenses to be a significant problem (I get hardened plastic photochromic varifocals and don't mollycoddle them). My last few pairs came from Dollond & Aitchison, who gave careful and patient service - but have recently been taken over by Boots, with what effects I don't know.

 

On a note of caution: I find the varifocals excellent for out-and-about life, but not satisfactory for serious reading and downright poor for working at the computer. When I'm reading, it's irritating and distracting only to have a small slice of the page in focus; and at the computer it's worse, continually having to move my head up and down and sideways to focus on different parts of the screen. So I also have unifocal "computer glasses", optimised for about 70cm. These are good for reading too.

 

Another thing about varifocals is that sometimes they make straight lines look curved. I've not found this a problem in photography - one's used to compensating for barrel distortion in viewfinders - but sometimes in the workshop one needs to take extra care (or wear mid-range unifocals as for the computer).

[jank]

I use varifocals for perhaps 10 yrs now.

Upper 2/3 are made for distance and lower third for reading (price stickers).

Upepr 1/3 I assume is quite uniform, so looking thru viewfinder is no problem.

It works well for driving also.

Jan

[Peter H]

........... My last few pairs came from Dollond & Aitchison, who gave careful and patient service - but have recently been taken over by Boots, with what effects I don't know.

 

.

 

Oddly perhaps, I had tried many Opticians but by far the most knowledgable and helpful personal service I've ever had comes from my local Boots Opticians. I somehow doubt that its a universally applicable though. But maybe I shouldn't be so cynical.

 

I have varifocal lenses (3 levels; distance, close medium which is perfect for computer work, and reading) and don't have any trouble at all using them with the camera, to the extent that I never give them any thought at all really. They took a week or so to get used to, then became second nature. I imagine you'll have the same experience as long as the glasses themselves are properly adjusted for your eyes of course.

 

Don't forget that the frames can be just as big a factor: try them with the camera at your eye before choosing the ones that look best!

[elgenper]

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Another varifocal user here... and I have a strong astigmatic component, so correction lenses for the eyepiece is no option either. Anyhow, my VF´s work well with the M9, like they did for several SLR´s, both with prisms and waist level finders.

 

Important thing No 1: avoid plastic glass like the plague; they´ll scratch in no time, even with rubber eyepieces; No 2: find a GOOD optician that understands your ´special needs´ for very good correction.

 

Also (and this is important for any kind of specs, not just varifocals), forget about the 28 mm frame; you won´t see it. 35 is usable, just...

[ayewing]

I have used varifocals for many years to correct my shortsightedness and mild astigmatism. I have no problem with my M9 or with DSLRs. The modern thinner lenses are an improvement on the older thicker lenses, as I think it lets your eye get a bit closer to the eyepiece. As others have commented using 28mm framelines is a challenge.

[250swb]

I use varifocals Edmond and wouldn't be without them for photography. Not only can I see through the viewfinder but I can also read the menu!

 

It just isn't sensible or efficient to keep changing spectacles or using a dioptre especially when working quickly.

 

The first thing to consider is that it does require some time to get used to them, but knowing instinctively where to look will come although it may seem hard at first. It took me a week to generally forget I was wearing them, then another few months to feel totally at home. But say what you want to use your varifocals for and as suggested even take your camera along to see if the optician thinks it is helpful. Cheap lenses are a waste of time.

 

So the watchword is 'patience', and don't walk into a lampost on the first day out

 

Steve

[edmond_terakopian]

A huge thank you to all who have responded. Really appreciate it and feel confident now!! I actually don't think I need a prescription for the lower part, but just clear glass as I can't seem to focus my eyes close up with the glasses on! Anyway, shall make an appointment and discuss with the optician :-)

[AlanG]

These are referred to as "progressive" lenses in the US. I have had several pairs and as others have mentioned the one I had in plastic scratched badly and quickly from the camera eyepiece... despite "scratch free" coatings. This is not to say that some have not had good luck with them. Not all places could order glass lenses for me. And glass is heavier of course. You also must have lenses of at least a certain size... really small designs can't be ordered as progressives.

 

I don't think you'll have any problem using a camera because the spots right in the middle and upper part of your lens should be set for good distance vision.

 

I also have multi-focal contact lenses that work pretty well for me. My visions is not very bad (-1.75) so I'm not sure how well these work for stronger distance correction and still allow reading.

 

When I saw "varifocal" I thought you might be referring to these:

 

http://www.gizmag.com/trufocals-adjustable-focus-eyeglasses/16629/

Edited October 16, 2012 by AlanG

[AlanG]

These are referred to as "progressive" lenses in the US. I have had several pairs and as others have mentioned the one I had in plastic scratched badly and quickly... despite "scratch free" coatings. This is not to say that some have not had good luck with them. Not all places could order glass lenses for me. And glass is heavier of course. You also must have lenses of at least a certain size... really small designs can't be ordered as progressives.

 

I don't think you'll have any problem using a camera because the spots right in the middle and upper part of your lens should be set for good distance vision.

 

I also have multi-focal contact lenses that work pretty well for me. My visions is not very bad (-1.75) so I'm not sure how well these work for stronger distance correction and still allow reading.

[AlanG]

These are referred to as "progressive" lenses in the US. I have had several pairs and as others have mentioned the one I had in plastic scratched badly and quickly... despite "scratch free" coatings. This is not to say that some have not had good luck with them. Not all places could order glass lenses for me. And glass is heavier of course. You also must have lenses of at least a certain size... really small designs can't be ordered as progressives.

 

I don't think you'll have any problem using a camera because the spots right in the middle and upper part of your lens should be set for good distance vision.

 

I also have multi-focal contact lenses that work pretty well for me. My visions is not very bad (-1.75) so I'm not sure how well these work for stronger distance correction and still allow reading.

 

When you wrote "varifocal" I thought you were referring to these:

 

TruFocals eyeglasses feature adjustable focus

[AlanG]

Sorry for the multiple posts... I have no idea what I did to cause it.

[IkarusJohn]

My eyesight started to crap out a few years ago when I decided to do a Masters. Reading was a real pain, particularly when I got tired. After some months of denial, I got some reading glasses - they gave me a headache, but I soon got used to them. The thing that became a pain was putting them off and on, particularly in meetings - on for reading, off to see the person across the table. It made me look quite mad.

 

So, I got some varifocals, or progressives, as they're called here too. Bear in mind, I have developed long sight with age, and slight other issues - my eyes have different corrections, which doesn't help. What I find is that I put them on and I forget they're there.

 

If you go down the varifocal route, a couple of words of warning to add to scsambrook's excellent post above:

 

• get largish frames, as you need the vertical range of adjustment
  
• curved lenses are not as effective as flat lenses for varifocals, though this may have improved
  
• give them time. At first, everything will have a fishbowl look to it, and you will feel that only the centre is in focus. This is true, but your brain will adjust to this after a while, and everything will be in focus soon enough
  
• get used to tilting your head back and forward to get the optimal adjuustment. You won't notice you're doing this after a while.
  

 

I bought Mykita frames with Hoya lenses (multi-coated) and they're fine with computers, reading, driving etc. I must confess I tend not to use them with my M9 as I like to shoot wides, and I use a 1.4x magnifier with my 50 & 75 - I probably wouldn't need this if I kept my glasses on. I don't use a diopter as my mild long focus doesn't really impact on using the focusing patch.

 

Cheers

John

[edmond_terakopian]

My eyesight started to crap out a few years ago when I decided to do a Masters. Reading was a real pain' date=' particularly when I got tired. After some months of denial, I got some reading glasses - they gave me a headache, but I soon got used to them. The thing that became a pain was putting them off and on, particularly in meetings - on for reading, off to see the person across the table. It made me look quite mad.

 

So, I got some varifocals, or progressives, as they're called here too. Bear in mind, I have developed long sight with age, and slight other issues - my eyes have different corrections, which doesn't help. What I find is that I put them on and I forget they're there.

 

If you go down the varifocal route, a couple of words of warning to add to scsambrook's excellent post above:

 

 

[*']get largish frames, as you need the vertical range of adjustment

[*]curved lenses are not as effective as flat lenses for varifocals, though this may have improved

[*]give them time. At first, everything will have a fishbowl look to it, and you will feel that only the centre is in focus. This is true, but your brain will adjust to this after a while, and everything will be in focus soon enough

[*]get used to tilting your head back and forward to get the optimal adjuustment. You won't notice you're doing this after a while.

 

 

I bought Mykita frames with Hoya lenses (multi-coated) and they're fine with computers, reading, driving etc. I must confess I tend not to use them with my M9 as I like to shoot wides, and I use a 1.4x magnifier with my 50 & 75 - I probably wouldn't need this if I kept my glasses on. I don't use a diopter as my mild long focus doesn't really impact on using the focusing patch.

 

Cheers

John

 

Cheers :-)

[tobey bilek]

I tried for a year to use progressives with no luck. I am nearsighted . They caused eyestrain and gave me headaches.

 

The wife who is farsighted loves hers.

 

The eye doc told me farsighted ( + correction ) get along better with progressives.

 

I use normal bifocals and have bifocal computer glasses, top set for arm length, bottom for reading.

[bybrett]

Hey Edmond, varifocals work like a dream for photography once you've mastered how to walk in them. Take your M9 to the opticians. Mine are set for viewing the street at the top, viewing the camera at the bottom and optimised for the optical viewfinder in the middle. They work best if you keep your head level when focussing. I went for Carl Zeiss lenses with all the best coatings. They do steam up a bit on a tough wedding...

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[farnz]

I've been wearing varifocals for about 6 months and have had few problems using them with my M9-P. Walking down stairs can be a bit tricky.

 

Pete.

[andybarton]

I tried some last year. They were the "better" ones from Vision Express, from whom I have had excellent service got years.

 

They were useless and I took advantage of their 90 day refund period.

 

I went back again this year, after I wore my frames out taking them on and off to read so often, and this time stumped up for the Zeiss lenses. These are not only made for your prescription, but also the frames and your face and eye size etc.

 

It's like chalk and cheese. These are brilliant and well worth the money. The additional cost was about a hundred quid.

 

Walking down stairs is still a challenge though...